MARTINA HELIN
“I have always been the type to ‘live in the present,’ however this busy world can definitely steer us away from that. With Ayurveda being such a seasonal, circadian way of life, it connects you to the present moment all the time, paying attention to how you feel at any moment, and what might be needed, where the Prana is. The Ayurvedic body treatments or a little self-massage are so soothing, connecting you back to the body. Sitting down to eat slowly with appreciation, a good power nap after lunch to help digestion, breathing practice, meditation, it’s all Ayurveda and being present.”
Martina Helin is a shop manager at Jivita Ayurveda Spa & Organic Shop, as well as an events curator and intuitive energy healer.
Martina was born in Finland, and lived a few years in Paris before settling in London nearly 20 years ago.
Martina started her career as a fashion stylist and photo shoot coordinator, moving from there to events management and being a shop owner. She has always been heavily involved in music events — it’s the spice of life for her. Martina’s distinctive creative vision has endeared her to some of the most discerning names in the fashion, music and entertainment world.
The demanding lifestyle working in events, fashion and music made her crave something more meaningful and balancing into her life, in addition to quite a few very challenging moments in her life. She started reigniting her always present interest in the more holistic side of life — herbs, spirituality, meditation, inner work, that later on led her to a very different life path.
Follow Martina:
Website: www.jivitaayurveda.com
Instagram: @martina_annika
Instagram: @jivitaayurveda
Facebook: Jivita Ayurveda
“Especially in these times of change, Ayurveda has been life-changing, keeping me grounded, heart-centred and calm.”
About 7 years ago, a good friend of mine, the founder of Jivita Ayurveda Anu Paavola, asked if I would be interested in helping at her spa, covering the basis in reception. As a freelancer I was able to arrange the dates to do so. This was my initial introduction to Ayurveda. Being a born and bred countryside girl, I had always been interested in herbs, holistic, organic foods, had studied Reiki and Shamanic medicine work, therefore being very familiar with energy work (Prana). My father was a masseur and had a studio at home, he was a very intuitive healer as was his mother, who was very much in touch with the more energetic, alternative healing methods. So none of this was new to me in a way, only the philosophy and history of Ayurveda. Ayurveda therefore struck a chord with me immediately.
From then on I have continued working at Jivita Ayurveda.
In the change of 2017-18, Anu and I started talking about further development of Jivita Ayurveda, possible avenues for growth, mutual interests and future visions. I started working full-time at Jivita Ayurveda, in order for us to have more time together to concentrate on business development. I took responsibility of our social media, events and the shop, looking into new product lines and making sure the shop is always stocked with the best quality organic and local foods, supplements and skin care. This allowed Anu more time to develop and launch Jivita Academy of Ayurveda, a high-level academy teaching accredited courses in Ayurveda adapted to the West, among other projects.
After I started working at Jivita Ayurveda, constantly learning about Ayurveda, the Doshas, daily routines, diet, balancing Doshas, I started paying a lot more attention to my own ways of living and eating. I have had a list of mysterious illnesses from a young age, having been treated with years of extended courses of antibiotics and steroids, which obviously have caused a lot of havoc in my body, costing me to pretty much lose sight in one eye, an autoimmune disease that led to a liver transplant, and more. I needed a change, a reset.
I didn’t change my ways in one go, but rather started adapting one Ayurvedic routine or one change at a time, changing all cold drinks to hot water. What an amazing effect already a simple act like that can have! I was sold. Then came oil pulling, tongue scraping, changing my exercise routines to better suit my body type, paying a lot more attention to my diet being in tune with the seasons, eating local and organic. Noticing when my already high Vata was out of balance, and how to fine tune it with herbs and foods. This was all very gradual, so it was very easy. I gave myself time to adapt and learn. Seeing what works with my sensitive body and what doesn’t. Luckily Ayurveda is very flexible in that sense, balancing the opposites and feeling into what works and what doesn’t. it’s been life-changing. I gradually lost about 1.5 stones over the years without realising.
I am changed for life. I do talk to my family and friends about Ayurveda and its benefits all the time, offer advice when asked. I find it’s not good to preach, just lead by example, and they have seen the changes! Whoever is ready to hear and learn will come and ask.
This is why I love working at the shop — I get to meet the most interesting people every day and have amazing conversations, it’s a true exchange.
One of my Ayurvedic go-to foods is kitchari. I absolutely love mung bean dal with coriander chutney and coconut yoghurt, it’s the ultimate comfort food for Vata — so tasty, healing and balancing. I’ve always been a porridge for breakfast person, however now I have porridge during the cooler months with added ginger and cinnamon to make it easier to digest, served with fruits, seeds and nuts and of course a dollop of Chyawanprash. During the summer I change this to spiced stewed fruits, which I love. I always have breakfast, can’t think of leaving the house without, followed by a good hearty lunch, and a light early dinner. A few times a week I do intermittent fasting and skip dinner. Due to my health, I can’t do too much fasting nor detoxing. Luckily with Ayurveda, there’s many ways of making sure one can change diet and herbs to aid cleansing of the body.
I have always been the type to “live in the present,” however this busy world can definitely steer us away from that. With Ayurveda being such a seasonal, circadian way of life, it connects you to the present moment all the time, paying attention to how you feel at any moment, and what might be needed, where the Prana is. The Ayurvedic body treatments or a little self-massage are so soothing, connecting you back to the body. Sitting down to eat slowly with appreciation, a good power nap after lunch to help digestion, breathing practice, meditation, it’s all Ayurveda and being present.
It is the new way of living for me, and makes life just that much better.
Especially in these times of change that we are currently living, Ayurveda has been life-changing, keeping me grounded, heart-centred and calm, pacifying the nervous system and seeing the positive.
Thank you Jasmine for inviting me to be part of My-urveda and for being such a beautiful beacon of light!